Another year has come to a close and another is set to begin. Perhaps that it why this time of year causes us to reflect more, remember past experiences and share them with those around us.  In light of that mood and the holiday spirit, the staff at PM wanted to share with you how we each came to be interested in historic preservation.  The inspiration may have come from a person, a building or just a fascination with history that ultimately lead us all to be active in preservation.  I hope you enjoy this festive Our Commonwealth and hope you find some inspiration too during this festive season.

Sincerely,

Jim

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Anulfo Baez, Office Manager

One of my favorite things as a student has always been going on class fieldtrips. Visiting sites like Plimoth Plantation, Old Sturbridge Village and the Gilded Age mansions of Newport, Rhode Island sparked my interest in architectural history and preservation which led me to Preservation Massachusetts. Recently, I completed a seminar on Boston architecture which took me all over the city and its surrounding neighborhoods, igniting a renewed appreciation for the fabric of Boston and its multicultural threads. My passion for nurturing a dialog of multiculturalism and preservation has kept me in the field.

Michele Barker, Circuit Rider

As a writer, I think my interest in historic preservation comes out of my love for storytelling and my fascination with puzzles and mysteries. I love discovering how people’s stories-their beliefs, aspirations, and struggles-are embodied in the places that they built and in which they lived, worked, and played. I like the way in which historic preservation can give a voice to those who were once considered too unimportant to have their stories written down. I also love the nitty-gritty detective work of sorting out the clues to untangle those stories and make sense of what’s been left behind.

Dorr Fox, Circuit Rider

My interest in historic preservation is an outgrowth of my interest in city planning. When I was a small boy and people asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would always say a city planner. I always considered historic preservation to be an integral part of planning and an essential tool for economic development and healthy communities. It was the primary field that intersected with city planning that I was interested in. As a teenager, I was always interested in exploring new places and historic buildings. As I became older, I never seriously considered another career option and am still fascinated by planning and historic preservation.

Jim Igoe, President

I always had a fascination with history. At age 14, a family friend purchased a circa 1700 historic farm complex in West Brookfield, MA. The original King’s Grant of the property was made to a grandson of Peregrine White, the Pilgrim child who was born on the Mayflower as it sat anchored in Plymouth Harbor. For the next two years, I was invited to take part in the meticulous restoration of the property. Experiencing the research and the actual hands-on renovation of the property as it became the Salem Cross Inn was a wonderful and exciting opportunity for a teenage boy. This experience as well as a hobby of refinishing antique furniture developed a passion and love for historic properties that has continued my entire life.

Erin Kelly, Assistant Director

Everything started with my Grandmother. She lived in my mother’s family homestead in the scenic seaside town of Fairhaven and my childhood was made up of walks around the historic town center with its beautiful buildings, hearing stories of ship builders and sea captains who once lived in the large houses that lined the waterfront. In her old and dusty attic I had more fun playing with “antiques” than watching TV and imagined what life was like in the “olden days”. I explored hidden closets and rooms, feeling the history of my family embedded in the walls of the house and always wanted to learn more. She is the reason I am passionate about preservation and history and especially during this time of year I think of her often and thank her for being such an inspiration.

Steve Moga, Circuit Rider

Steve got his start in preservation as a board member of the American Swedish Institute, a cultural center located in the historic Turnblad Mansion in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A few years later he interned with an economic development corporation in the historic Dunbar Hotel, once a bustling meeting place that stood at the heart of the Central Avenue jazz district in South Los Angeles. Little did he know then that these experiences would lead him to the historic preservation profession and academic research at MIT on the history of the built environment of American cities.

The Salem Athenæum, a preeminent cultural institution, marks its 200th year in 2010. With its collection of historic and contemporary books and quality programming comprised of lectures, courses, and concerts, the Athenæum will celebrate its members and collections and their influence on Salem and the world.

The celebration will continue yearlong with programs featuring contemporary historians, writers, musicians, poets, theatrical presentations, and critics. For those wishing to delve more deeply into the 19th century, the Athenæum will offer one multi-week course: William Bentley’s Salem (April 12 to May 10), featuring the historic writings and wisdom of Salem’s own Reverend Bentley.

On March 6, 2010, (exactly 200 years from the date of its incorporation) the Athenæum celebrates its anniversary in style with a Federalist period “assembly” (the name given at that time to a splendid social event featuring music, dance, food and drink). This event, The Salem Athenaeum Bicentennial Assembly: Celebrating 1810, will be held at Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut Street, Salem from 7 to 11 p.m. More events will take place throughout the year and PM will keep you updated. For more information visit SalemAthenaeum.net.

Today we are pleased to announce that one of PM’s Circuit Riders, Michele Barker, guest wrote a post on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s PreservationNation blog.  The first paragraph is included below:

As I ride the circuit through central and western Massachusetts, I enjoy discovering sites that embody a family tradition of preservation, from 18th-century family farms to businesses handed down for generations. The Noble & Cooley Drum Company in Granville is a perfect example. This family-owned and managed industrial plant has operated in the same historic buildings for more than 100 years. Noble & Cooley’s owners have a legacy of preserving buildings, equipment, documents, artifacts, images, industrial processes, and their stories.

For the full post, click here.

And congrats to Michele!

Putting poor farm to use

Housing advocates, historic preservationists have eyes on Milton site

By Jenifer B. McKim

Globe Staff / December 1, 2009

MILTON – Preservationists, housing advocates, and other residents here are at odds over what to do with the town’s centuries-old poor farm. Should the 34-acre site be preserved as a historical reminder of how the community once aided its less fortunate citizens or be used for affordable housing that would benefit today’s residents?

For the full article, click here.

As the end of the year approaches, Preservation Massachusetts takes an opportunity to revisit our efforts, initiatives and successes of the previous 12 months and asks our preservation partners for their continued support.

Our Year-End Appeal is an important chance for us to show you how we have grown, what we have accomplished and learn how we can better support preservation efforts across the entire Commonwealth.  We look to this appeal as support during the winter months and your contributions are greatly needed and appreciated!

Make your tax-deductible gift today!

Donate online now, or download our form and pay by check.

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Dear Friend,

Empowered may appear as an odd choice of words to describe how Preservation Massachusetts is feeling at the end of 2009. True, the past 12 months saw difficult times and hard realities that left many feeling a lack of any sort of power or certainty.

Yet after this particularly challenging year, Preservation Massachusetts is thankful to still be here as your statewide partner and leader in preservation advocacy and education.  Though tough times were felt by all, your support of our programs, events and your membership contributions remained strong. These contributions enable Preservation Massachusetts to empower YOU and YOUR preservation efforts, and here’s how!

Our Circuit Riders empower individuals and groups with resources, information and advice to become better advocates for local preservation initiatives.  Michele, Dorr and Steve travel the length and breadth of the state, leaving in their wake stronger local capacity for understanding and using historic preservation at the grassroots level.

Preservation Massachusetts’ legislative agenda on the state and federal levels empowers developers, communities, businesses and other to rehabilitate and revitalize the historic fabric of our neighborhoods.  Our 2009 economic study of the Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit showed elected officials and others that the program could leverage $1.773 billion in private investment, create over 25,000 jobs and return approximately $296.9 million in tax revenue to the state.  These numbers empower us all to show how preservation is economic development and a key to the revitalization of our downtowns.

2010 marks a banner year for Preservation Massachusetts as we celebrate 25 years of leading preservation advocacy for the Commonwealth. We are proud of where the organization stands now and YOUR belief in our mission is what empowers us to be your statewide partner in preservation advocacy and education.

Times may still be difficult but now more than ever do your donations make a difference! Preserving and revitalizing our past creates a vibrant and sustainable Massachusetts for our present and future.

I urge you to consider making your tax deductible gift to Preservation Massachusetts’ year-end appeal today.  Thank you for sustaining our ability to empower YOUR preservation successes.

Sincerely,

James W. Igoe

President